The Composers Showcase Celebrates with Star-Studded Gala at The Smith Center
- Debbie Hall
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
By Debbie Hall
It is a milestone celebration of Las Vegas' creative scene as The Composers Showcase marks 20 years with a special anniversary gala at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on April 29.
More than just a concert, the evening is designed as a full-scale artistic experience—two and a half hours of all-original music performed by a cross-section of Las Vegas’ most accomplished creators alongside special guest artists from across the country. At the center of it all is co-founder, music director, and host Keith Thompson, who will guide audiences through a retrospective journey of the Showcase’s evolution, backed by a 25-piece orchestra that elevates the night into a sweeping celebration of sound.
For Thompson, the milestone is deeply personal. Reflecting on more than four decades in the music industry, he credits the showcase as his most fulfilling creative endeavor—one that not only shaped his own artistic path but also created space for thousands of others to be heard.
“When I first came to Vegas, I couldn't find the community of artists. I was specifically looking for original music and a way to share. I realized that I might have to develop what I was looking for, and the community began to evolve. I’m not saying I created it, but I did discover it and was drawn in to get involved in activities and creative endeavors that fed my soul,” said Thompson.
The anniversary lineup reads like a love letter to musical diversity. Expect standout performances from Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning Crystal Lewis, Grammy-nominated Las Vegas favorite Clint Holmes, and virtuosic pianist Philip Fortenberry. The stage will also welcome acclaimed vocalist and lyricist Elisa Fiorillo, singer-songwriter Chadwick Johnson, and musical comedian Dennis Blair.
Broadway and beyond are well represented with Mike Eldred—known for Les Misérables, The Civil War, and Jesus Christ Superstar—alongside Emmy nominee and chart-topping entertainer Frankie Moreno. Rounding out the lineup are KA music director and composer Richard Oberacker and California Music Hall of Famer Michael Peterson.
Since its inception, The Composers Showcase has become a vital incubator for new work, hosting more than 2,000 songwriters and composers. Its alumni roster underscores its reach, including celebrated names like Allan Rich and Jud Friedman, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Gina Schock of The Go-Go’s, and Bill Medley and Bucky Heard of The Righteous Brothers. Broadway standouts Bill Russell and Andrew Lippa, along with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, further highlight the Showcase’s wide-ranging creative impact.
“Narrowing it down to just one breakthrough artist is the challenge. Having some celebrities and higher-profile artists, as well as Broadway's Andrew Lippa and Bill Russell, was a highlight for me, but hearing a 15-year-old aspiring writer who rocks the room and shows such promise is equally fulfilling. I've had artists who had never written before become inspired to start writing songs, and suddenly they are composing and having their songs performed. We had no idea when we started having our Share Your Music parties that it would ever become something of real impact in our community,” added Thompson.
At its core, the organization remains committed to its mission: providing a welcoming, cabaret-style platform where composers and songwriters can present original work to an engaged and supportive audience. It's a space where music, theatre, and storytelling intersect—where experimentation is encouraged, and artistic voices are amplified.
“It is safe to say that our stakes are higher. The reputation we’ve nurtured over 20 years calls for creative artists to step up and be the best they can be. I think now, more than when we first began, artists feel that pressure but also that excitement. We do not compete with other platforms; we support and appreciate anyone who is engaging with songwriters and composers.”
The anniversary gala's proceeds will aid emerging local composers and the TCS Entertainment Community Relief Fund, which has raised over $350,000 to help more than 600 artists affected by the economy.
The Composers Showcase isn't just celebrating its past—it's reinforcing its vital role in shaping Las Vegas' cultural future, inviting the community to be part of this ongoing journey.
The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas marks a major milestone this spring, celebrating 20 years of live original music with a special anniversary gala at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The event takes place inside Reynolds Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. Tickets are available through The Smith Center box office and by clicking here. For additional details, visit The Smith Center and The Composers Showcase.
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